Despite initial in-cage reports by Georges St-Pierre (19-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC) himself that he had torn a muscle in his groin – an injury that could have shelved the UFC’s welterweight champion for a significant period – more official evaluations of the injury suffered earlier this month at UFC 100 have revealed a less severe conclusion.

According to a statement issued late Saturday night by St-Pierre’s manager, Shari Spencer, no surgery will be required to repair the injury.

“Evaluation of the results of an MRI indicate that no surgery will be required, and Georges should be back in the gym training within a few weeks after a brief rehabilitation,” Spencer stated.

St-Pierre suffered the injury in his UFC 100 contest with challenger Thiago Alves. Following the fourth round of the title contest, the champion informed his cornerman, Greg Jackson, that he had torn his groin.

The news was met with a comical response, easily heard on the evening’s pay-per-view broadcast.

“I don’t care,” Jackson responded. “Hit him with it.”

While St-Pierre thankfully ignored those instructions, the 28-year-old did little else wrong en route to taking every round on all three judges’ cards.

Despite the promising report, an exact timetable for St-Pierre’s return was not announced.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported, the UFC 103 bout between Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick will determine St-Pierre’s next title challenger, though with each win in the welterweight division fans are increasingly calling for “Rush” to step up and challenge middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a potentially explosive superfight.

Following the win over Alves, St-Pierre said he wasn’t sure if that bout was in his immediate future.

“It’s a question of timing,” St-Pierre said. “I walk around at 185 pounds. I’m not that big for a welterweight.”

St-Pierre is currently under a medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission until Jan. 8. The champion can return to action earlier if cleared by an orthopedic doctor.

For complete post-event coverage of UFC 100, check out the UFC Events section of MMAjunkie.com.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.